2010 Marketing Resolutions

By: Joe Kiefer

Welcome to 2010.  Was anyone hoping 2009 would stick around a little longer?  What a year!  I probably speak for many businesses and business professionals, when I say good "Good Riddance!" and bring on the new year!

I am sure there a lot of businesses that were able to survive and thrive in 2009, but thriving in that type of environment is difficult and not healthy for any business for an extended period.  The good news is, the survivors are stronger, more efficient and ready to grow in 2010.  Business growth could not come at a better time and should be the final push needed to get this economy fully back on track and moving in the right direction.

Has everyone made their new year resolutions?  No, not the yearly self improvement mottos of exercise more, eat better, quit smoking..., but business resolutions that hopefully are observed for longer than a month... or less. 

My New Year resolution is to put an increased focus on our members.  As a newer association we put a lot of energy into our members, but that was a little harder last year as we focused on efficiencies and cost cutting as well.  Our members have allowed us to survive and thrive during tough times and they will be what drives our growth going forward.  Getting to know the members better will allow me to better address their pain points, communicate to them in their preferred setting, offer training in their preferred format and just generally have a better understanding for the situations they are facing and how we can help.  This will be a company wide effort and some of the initiatives have already been started, but personally I would like to be more engaged with our members as well.  I am here to help and will be looking to reach out to members more personally through e-mail, Twitter, this blog or our LinkedIn group.  I look forward to the increased interaction and the knowledge I will undoubtedly gain from it.

There is not a one size fits all resolution out there, but if you put some time in you will come up with a great one for your company.  What was your biggest weakness in 2009?  What do you keep wanting to get done, but never get to?  What have your customers been asking for?  These are just a couple of questions you could ask to help you develop your marketing resolution.  Don't make them too easy or there is no point in setting them.  Don't make them too hard or you will give up before you get going.  Either way you go, make sure you write it down and hold yourself accountable, or even better, share the goal with the company or at least the team you work with. 

Good luck with all your marketing initiatives in 2010!